In a shocking development, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a high-ranking executive with cryptocurrency giant Binance, has escaped from custody in Abuja.
The news, confirmed by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, on Monday, adds a new twist to the ongoing saga between the Nigerian government and Binance.
Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, along with another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, were detained in February this year as the federal government tightened its grip on cryptocurrency activities.
The pair faced accusations of tax evasion and aiding customers in tax avoidance—charges Binance has vehemently contested.
Details surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape remain sketchy.
Some sources allege the executives were held in a “comfortable guest house” in Abuja with access to phones, potentially facilitating Anjarwalla’s escape plan.
He reportedly escaped ” using a smuggled passport” after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers last Friday and flew out of Abuja using a Middle Eastern airline.
Questions are swirling about how he obtained the passport and the level of access he had while in custody.
“The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024,” the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu said.
Nigerian authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine how this breach occurred, with Ribadu saying that immediate action is underway to apprehend Anjarwalla.
This includes collaboration with relevant security agencies, Nigerian ministries, and even the international community to issue an international arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, “the personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested,” Ribadu added.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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